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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Transverse baby

14 replies

suntodayplease · 04/09/2013 14:04

I'm looking for lots of positive stories about long term transverse babies turning at the last minute...
Baby has been transverse since 27 weeks, I'm now nearly 35 weeks and still no change, as far as I'm aware its never been head down. Midwife has said to look at spinning babies website and try some of the exercises to encourage it to turn, but was realistic that I'll need to be scanned at 36 weeks and take it from there.

Have you had a long term transverse baby go to head down in the last few weeks? I've read about ECV and the success rates don't look great so I'm apprehensive of it and therefore would consider a section instead if necessary. I know there is still time for the baby to turn, but spinning babies website says after 36 weeks this becomes harder.
Thanks

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cathpip · 04/09/2013 17:11

I have! My dd was transverse from her 20week scan. I had opted for an elective section due to a previous emergency section. My dd did turn and go head down at 38+2, a couple of days before my section, I won't lie it was painful and looked weird. She did weigh 10lb9ozs though, so they can definately turn!

urtwistingmymelonman · 05/09/2013 04:03

hi. I went for my 28 weeks mw appointment yesterday and was told baby was transverse.
she said if shes the same at 32 weeks they will send me for a scan and try to manipulate her into the head down position.
prior to this she has always been breech.
im so hoping she will turn as a cesearean is my worse nightmare:(

Thumbwitch · 05/09/2013 04:21

DS2 was oblique transverse unstable lie (diagonal across me). He just kept on moving! Head up under my ribcage, but kept changing sides; he went head down for all of about 30 seconds in one scan but then swam off again.

To be fair to him, I did have polyhydramnios so he had plenty of space to swim about!

I tried some of the spinning babies stuff, but couldn't do too much because I also had evil acid reflux AND SPD, so some of the positional stuff just wasn't an option.
I tried reflexology and moxibustion, and acupuncture - didn't work.

In the end, I was induced at 39w over 3 days, the 3rd day they did an ECV followed by ARM (manual rupture of the membranes/waters) and I went on to give birth to him vaginally. I did need syntocin because, as his head had never engaged, my contractions needed to be brought on fast to push his head down onto my cervix to progress labour.

The ECV was not something I wanted, but it was that or CS - because DS2 was too unstable to even attempt breech delivery (something my consultant was able and willing to do if it had been appropriate) - and because I had the ECV on the day of delivery, and they got the monitor on his head straight after the waters went, there was far less risk.

I would not have accepted having ECV ahead of time - the risks may not be THAT high but they're still TOO high for me - and in my case, there would have been no point because of the polyhydramnios. There was also a theatre on standby for me just in case ANYthing went wrong at ANY point in my delivery, which luckily it didn't, or I'd have been straight in for CS.

suntodayplease · 05/09/2013 09:20

Cathpip glad your DD turned at the last minute. My midwife said if the baby turns now it will probably be pretty obvious and could be a little 'uncomfortable'!

Obviously hoping that baby decides to turn by themselves, but I've decided that if they haven't by the cut off then I will opt for a c section as the manual turning fills me with fear, and my hospital sucess rates aren't great. I did read that if babies have been transverse for a long period of time then there is often a reason for it. No point in stressing about it now, as long as they are delivered safely.

Thumbwitch I'm glad you had a safe delivery, sounds like they were prepared for all eventualities!

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mycatlikestwiglets · 05/09/2013 10:28

Watching with interest and bumping further for you - am in the same position at 32.5 weeks with baby showing no sign of wanting to move from what is obviously a comfortable position (for her at least!). I also wouldn't opt for an ECV - which I've heard is less suitable for transverse babies than breech ones anyway.

urtwistingmymelonman · 05/09/2013 19:17

I haven't been given an option.
midwife gave me the impression that if baby doesn't turn I will have to have c section.
did I misunderstand her?

suntodayplease · 05/09/2013 20:26

As far as I understand (although by no means an expert!) it would be unsafe to deliver a transverse baby and a c section is the only option? Obviously they try and turn the baby if you're happy to try, but you don't have to consent to this. I have been told to pack my bags and if I go into labour or waters break to go immediately to the delivery suite due to risk of cord prolapse. Midwife said if this happens it would mean an emergency c section?

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Thumbwitch · 06/09/2013 01:57

Yes, if your waters break, turning the baby is no longer an option, so if they're still transverse, you're never going to deliver vaginally so a CS is the only option at that point.

enjolraslove · 06/09/2013 02:57

Baby was transcerse at 36 weeks- saw him on the Scan. Went back next day to see the consultant and he had turned! Then a week later went breech. Had an ecv which honestly was completely fine (long day on monitors but actual thing took 3 mins). Going back later today to see if he has stayed head down.
I really would try ecv. The success rates with transverse babies are very high.

urtwistingmymelonman · 06/09/2013 06:39

just been on you tube to watch an evc and the lady was laid there as cool as a cucumber and her baby was totally breech so it put my mind at rest a bit.

Thumbwitch · 06/09/2013 07:51

I am hesitating to post this link, and will advise you that it doesn't have a happy ending, but I'm glad I read it before I knew I would need the ECV, as it's the thing that stopped me from having one ahead of time.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/bereavement/1542766-My-birth-story-homebirth-resulting-in-crash-c-section-Please-bear-with-me-its-the-first-time-Ill-recollected-everything-and-put-it-all-together-x-warning-potentially-distressing

You may decide not to read it - and that's fine - but I know a RL person this has happened to as well, so it's as well to be aware that it can happen (if you can face it).

As I posted before, having the ECV on the same day as delivery reduced this particular risk to levels I could cope with.

suntodayplease · 06/09/2013 08:25

Thumbwitch I've read that thread before (and before I knew this baby was transverse and EVC had been mentioned). This definitely made me consider my options, I also know someone who had an EVC at my hospital that ended in an EMCS, as I said previously my hospital doesn't have a great %success rate which is another consideration.
I think its important to know the risks and make sure you're not forced into a decision without knowing your rights.

I think your approach to having the EVC on the day was a well considered move and really pleased to hear it all went so smoothly. Thanks for posting!

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suntodayplease · 06/09/2013 08:27

ECV of course...

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Thumbwitch · 06/09/2013 11:51

Thank you, suntoday. I hope you get the birth you want and are safely delivered of your baby too. Thanks

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